Tortilla Soup Recipe (2024)

Published February 4, 2021.This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Learn how easy it is to make this authentic Mexican homemade tortilla soup topped off with avocados, fried tortilla strips, and cilantro.

We are huge soup fans in this family and always look forward to the fall, so soup-making can begin! That said, it does not have to fall to be soup season. If you’re anything like us, check out my Corn Chowder or Chicken and Wild Rice for any time of year.

Tortilla Soup Recipe (1)

Tortilla Soup

The origin of Tortilla soup is a bit of a mystery, but history shows that it was created in Mexico City, Mexico. It’s a very simple-to-prepare soup, consisting of a few ingredients and an assortment of toppings.

Here are some typical ingredients you would find in this recipe:

  • Tomatoes
  • Onions
  • Garlic
  • Stock or Water
  • Chiles

How to Make It

Follow along with these instructions for making this tasty homemade tortilla soup:

Caramelize the onions and garlic until wholly browned in a medium-sized pot over low heat with olive oil, about 45 minutes.

Tortilla Soup Recipe (2)

Next, add the tomatoes, chiles, and chicken stock and simmer over low to medium heat for 30 minutes.

Tortilla Soup Recipe (3)

Remove the chile and puree the soup until smooth and thick in a blender or using an emersion hand blender. Return the soup to the pot along with the chile, and season with salt and pepper.

Tortilla Soup Recipe (4)

Fry tortilla strips in oil and drain on a paper towel.

Tortilla Soup Recipe (5)

Serve the soup with assorted toppings

Tortilla Soup Recipe (6)

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Often times you will see chicken tortilla soup instead of just tortilla. Chicken is not traditional in this recipe; add some shredded cooked chicken at the end with the assorted toppings if you’d like.

Toppings

Toppings for tortilla soup will vary a bit, depending on the region of Mexico and personal preference. Here are some popular additions to finish off the soup:

  • Avocado
  • Crema
  • Cheese (Cotija, Queso Fresco, Oaxaca, or Chihuahua)
  • Cilantro
  • Chiles
  • Radish
  • Lime
  • Shredded Chicken

Make-Ahead and Storage

Make-Ahead: You can make this soup up to 2 days ahead. Be sure to keep the toppings separate.

How to Store: Cover the soup, separate it from the toppings, and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Freeze the soup covered, separate from the toppings, for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator for 1 day before reheating.

How to Reheat: Add the desired amount to a small saucepot and heat over low heat until hot. You may need to readjust the seasonings with salt and pepper.

Tortilla Soup Recipe (7)

chef notes + tips

  • When making in the summertime, replace the canned tomatoes with fresh tomatoes.
  • If you do not want to fry tortilla strips, use tortilla chips.
Tortilla Soup Recipe (8)

More Soup Recipes

  • Beef and Barley
  • Ham and Bean
  • Ribollita
  • Chicken Noodle
  • Italian Wedding

Tortilla Soup Recipe (9)

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Tortilla Soup Recipe

Tortilla Soup Recipe (10)

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5 from 10 votes

Learn how easy it is to make this authentic Mexican homemade tortilla soup that is topped off with avocados, fried tortilla strips, and cilantro.

Servings: 8

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Ingredients

For the Soup:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 peeled and small diced yellow onions
  • 4 finely minced cloves of garlic
  • 1 dried guajillo chile
  • 2 28- ounce cans whole peeled tomatoes
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • sea salt and pepper to taste

For the Toppings:

  • 1 peeled, seeded, and large diced avocado
  • Mexican crema
  • cilantro leaves
  • cooked shredded chicken
  • fried tortillas

Instructions

  • In a large pot over low heat add in the olive oil and caramelize the onions and garlic well, about 45 minutes.

  • Next, add in the tomatoes, chile, and chicken stock and simmer over low heat for about 25-30 minutes.

  • Remove the chile and puree the soup until completely smooth. Return the soup back to the pot along with the chile and season with salt and pepper.

  • Serve the soup with assorted optional toppings.

Notes

Chef Notes:

  • Make-Ahead: You can make this soup up to 2 days ahead of time. Be sure to keep the toppings separate.
  • How to Store: Cover the soup, separate from the toppings, and keep in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Freeze the soup covered, separate from the toppings, for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator for 1 day before reheating.
  • How to Reheat: Add the desired amount to a small saucepot and heat over low heat until hot. You may need to readjust the seasonings with salt and pepper.
  • When making in the summertime, replace the canned tomatoes with fresh tomatoes.
  • If you do not want to fry tortilla strips, feel free to use tortilla chips.

Nutrition

Calories: 125kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 3gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 241mgPotassium: 439mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 279IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 47mgIron: 1mg

Course: Soup

Cuisine: Mexican

Author: Chef Billy Parisi

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19 comments

    • Helen
    • Tortilla Soup Recipe (11)

    My favorite – I modify a bit with the edition of hot rotel tomatoes, and red pepper flakes, a few poblano peppers. So good.

    • Reply
    • sue😁
    • Tortilla Soup Recipe (12)

    Tasty recipe thank you ChefBilly😁😋🤩👋

    • Reply
    • Cejay Downs
    • Tortilla Soup Recipe (13)

    Thank ou Chef 4 another great recipe

    • Reply
    • Lezlee Gunsolley
    • Tortilla Soup Recipe (14)

    YUMMY! This is authentic Mexican fare, and super easy to make! Very versatile and adaptable to most any odd & ends vegetable in the refrigerator!
    My family loves it, and it’s quick & easy!

    • Reply
    • Esme
    • Tortilla Soup Recipe (15)

    This is a soup that I have made over and over again. It’s delicious with or without shredded chicken in it.
    My quick and go to soup.

    • Reply
      • Chef Billy Parisi

      Thanks!

      • Reply
    • Chris Dean
    • Tortilla Soup Recipe (16)

    So Easy and oh so Good !!

    • Reply
    • Tortilla Soup Recipe (17)

        love it!

        • Reply
      • Shellayne Miller
      • Tortilla Soup Recipe (18)

      Really good and different from any other tortilla soup I’ve had. I recommend!

      • Reply
      • Tortilla Soup Recipe (19)

          Nice!

          • Reply
        • Kim Thomas

        Du you put the whole chili back in the soup or do you blend it as well and strain it?

        • Reply
        • Tortilla Soup Recipe (20)

            yes to all

            • Reply
          • Camille

          Do you chop the chile before returning it to the soup?

          • Reply
          • Tortilla Soup Recipe (21)

              no

              • Reply
            • Joan

            WHat other kind of Chile could you use, Please?

            • Reply
            • Tortilla Soup Recipe (22)

                ancho or arbol

                • Reply
              • Diane L Tjaden
              • Tortilla Soup Recipe (23)

              You are a fantastic chef and teacher. I have learned a lot from you.
              Thank you,
              Diane L Tjaden

              • Reply
              • christine marochko
              • Tortilla Soup Recipe (24)

              You are a remarkable Chef Billy Parisi! Another amazing soup.

              • Reply
              • Rehab
              • Tortilla Soup Recipe (25)

              Thank you, chef!
              Looks good!!

              • Reply
            Tortilla Soup Recipe (2024)

            FAQs

            What can I use to thicken my tortilla soup? ›

            Add Flour Or Cornstarch

            You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute. For the best results, never add flour or cornstarch directly to your soup. If you do, it will clump up on top. Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool.

            How to make soup thick and creamy? ›

            6 ways to thicken soup:
            1. Blend all or part of it. If you've made a broth with chunks of vegetable in it, such as minestrone soup, then pour the soup through a sieve. ...
            2. Add cream or yogurt. ...
            3. Add flour or cornflour. ...
            4. Use a butter and flour paste. ...
            5. Blend in bread. ...
            6. Add lentils or rice.

            What is the significance of tortilla soup? ›

            To the Mayas, Aztecs, and Incas, where corn was one of the most important ingredients in their food. The vital role of corn in native culture is what later brought us the tortilla, and eventually, tortilla soup. Tortilla Soup was born in the state of Tlaxcala near Mexico City.

            What are the ingredients in Costco chicken tortilla soup? ›

            INGREDIENTS: Chicken stock, diced tomatoes in juice, cooked chicken meat, cooked white chicken meat, onions, corn, carrots, roasted poblano peppers, roasted red bell peppers, roasted green chiles, tortillas (corn, water, lime), contains 2% or less of: tomato paste, water, cultured dextrose, sea salt, modified food ...

            Is it better to thicken soup with flour or cornstarch? ›

            It's important to note that cornstarch has twice the thickening power of flour. If you need to substitute cornstarch to thicken liquid in a recipe that calls for ¼ cup (four tablespoons) flour, you only need two tablespoons cornstarch.

            How do you make soup thicker without flour or cornstarch? ›

            Soup Thickening Method: Blended White Beans

            I drained and rinsed canned white beans and then blended them without any additional liquid until smooth. I added gradually to the simmering soup until I saw the texture change.

            What is the secret ingredient in soup? ›

            It may sound a bit strange and unusual for some, but vinegar is a common ingredient in some soup recipes, and there is a good reason for it. If you think about it, vinegar is really a flavor-enhancer (umami). That's why it is so often used in cooking, sauces, and salad dressings. The same is true with soups.

            Can I use milk instead of cream in soup? ›

            If the cream was intended to make a cream soup, milk will work fine but make a thinner and lighter soup. Yes, you can substitute milk for heavy cream in some recipes, but keep in mind that it might result in a lighter texture and less richness. Adjustments may be needed based on the specific dish you're preparing.

            What country is tortilla soup from? ›

            Why do Mexicans use two tortillas? ›

            Mexicans fondly refer to this as 'la copia' (literally: the copy). If you ask around, you'll be given many reasons for this. But a popular explanation is that the second tortilla can be used to make another taco with any fillings that spill out the side.

            What is tortilla soup made of? ›

            Chicken tortilla soup actually is an authentic Mexican dish. The traditional soup is made with chicken broth, tomatoes, garlic, onion, chiles, and fried tortilla strips. There are also variations of the soup, like ones that include beans.

            Does chicken tortilla soup go bad? ›

            You can store any leftover Chicken Tortilla Soup in the refrigerator in an airtight container. It will stay fresh for 3-4 days. Yes, you can make this soup ahead of time and then freeze it.

            Who makes Kirkland chicken tortilla soup? ›

            The label declares the product, manufactured by Kettle Cuisine Midco, LLC, as gluten-free, which is a false negative claim.

            Is there milk in Chick-Fil-A tortilla soup? ›

            Heads Up! The Berry Parfaits, Chicken Noodle Soup, and Chicken Tortilla Soups at Chick-fil-A do contain milk.

            Why is my tortilla soup watery? ›

            Keep Simmering. Sometimes all your soup needs is a little more time on the stove. Allow your chicken tortilla soup to simmer uncovered for an extended period. The heat will help evaporate some of the liquid, naturally thickening the soup.

            What can I use to thicken taco soup? ›

            Turn To Refried Beans To Thicken And Boost The Flavor Of Your Taco Soup. If you're looking to upgrade your taco soup into a rich, creamy meal, you could turn to tried-and-true thickeners like cream cheese, heavy cream, flour, or corn starch.

            What can I use instead of thickening agent in soup? ›

            There are a bunch of ways to thicken a soup without using raw flour or roux.
            • purée a portion of the soup in a blender then add it back to the pot.
            • mix a bit of cornstarch with water. ...
            • add chopped up potatoes to the soup. ...
            • add puréed beans or mashed potatoes to the soup. ...
            • there's also the Italian tradition of ribollita.
            Feb 10, 2024

            What can I add to soup to make it thinner? ›

            Dilute, dilute, dilute. Chunkier soups, like black bean or lentil, tend to lean thick—and, it must be said, gloopy. To thin them out (and dial down the intense salinity), add more water or low-sodium stock while they're heating.

            References

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